That Mommy Blog: Before and After: Our New (Old) Couch

Hi there!

I just love a good "Before and After" and this one will not disappoint! Remember that old nasty couch I bought at a yard sale last summer? It was gross and it looked like this:

Well, she's had a maekover!!! My ugly duckling of a couch was recently reupholstered, due to the kindness of a generous benefactor who shall remain unnamed. Okay, she won't: it's my mom. Thanks Mom! But before she got her new clothes on, I had to do somethin' about all that wood. This room already has enough of it!

So, I painted it with Annie Sloan chalk paint in French Linen and Old Ochre. I got mine from Artisan by Design at the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall in Charlotte. I just want to give Jere a shout-out on this one--without him I would have been lost on which colors to choose. He was SO helpful!

And I painted...and painted...and distressed...and then I waxed with S.C. Johnson paste wax (which I know not everyone uses over chalk paint, but the end result is durable and lovely, so I recommend it). And then she looked like this:

Well, after two weeks out with Design Services of Charlotte, she came home and she is perfect!!!

If you need to reupholster your own ugly duckling, I highly recommend Design Services, they were awesome. Once again, the Before and After:

And, for curious eyes out there, here is how the Family Room is looking these days. You will notice I have extra back cushion covers, so I can mix and match those pillows:

We have new paint and a new couch. Next up: armchairs and a larger rug.
Oh! And no, I didn't get a dog. That's my mom's dog who is just visiting but insisted on being in the picture.

Remember the "Before" on that one?